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Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes the ball during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub works against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick throws against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert scrambles against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor runs against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File

North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky looks to pass against The Citadel during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C. Trubisky said Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, that he plans to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Clemson Tigers runs with the ball during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

After all, when’s the last time you heard the NFL dubbed a “coach’s league” or “GM’s league,” rather than the tried and true moniker of it being a “quarterback’s league,” which Tom Brady reminded everyone of again in Sunday’s Super Bowl?

Here are 15 quarterbacks who could be the 49ers’ best options in a market alongside the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars:

1. Kirk Cousins: Washington insists it will retain Cousins, as it should considering he took thrust them into contention the past two years. If he doesn’t again draw the franchise tag or a long-term deal, Cousins certainly could make for a logical pairing with Shanahan, his offensive coordinator in 2011-12.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo: Shanahan last week recalled admiring Garoppolo in the 2014 draft process, praising him as a “very good thrower” with great vision and a quick release. Brady is not retiring, Jacoby Brissett awaits in the wings, and the Patriots can fetch a nice price for Garoppolo, perhaps a package involving the 49ers’ second-round draft pick? The 6-foot-2 Garoppolo is 25 and has only 94 career attempts with two starts.

3. Matt Schaub: Only 18 months younger than Shanahan, Schaub, 35, worked with him not only as the Falcons backup this season but with the Houston Texans in 2007-09. Schaub’s last Bay Area job didn’t work out well, with the 2013 Raiders. He won’t be a long-term answer and that likely is understood.

4. Brian Hoyer: With Shanahan as his offensive coordinator, Hoyer went 7-7 as the Cleveland Browns 2014 starter before Johnny Manziel replaced him. Hoyer, 31, is a five-team journeyman: Patriots, Cardinals, Browns, Texans and Bears, the latter of whom he went 1-4 with last season as a starter before breaking his left arm.

5. Jay Cutler: Shanahan’s father, Mike, drafted Cutler in the 2006 first round, so that connection is obvious. Cutler went 51-51 the past eight seasons with the Bears, who look poised to move on from their moody and inconsistent QB. Cutler turns 34 in April. Bleacher Report said the 49ers “may target” Cutler if they can’t trade for Cousins or Garoppolo.

6. Philip Rivers: No way the relocated Los Angeles Chargers part with their franchise QB, right? Rivers, 35, shot down a report last month he wants out, but it’s worth noting the 49ers were mentioned on a potential wish list. Rivers surely has run into Lynch in San Diego circles over the years.

7. Tony Romo: The Cowboys injury-prone veteran lost his job to Dak Prescott, and speculation the past month has Romo getting dealt (post-June 1) to the Broncos or Bears. His 248 touchdown passes rank 21st in NFL history, but how many more does he have in him?

8. Colin Kaepernick: His six-year tenure likely is done, with him opting for free agency come March or with the 49ers releasing their Eshmont Award winner. His future employer must be willing to accept the media flurry that comes with Kaepernick’s equal-rights movement. He still has the drive and dual-threat talent to play, and perhaps a big-market team could work best (see: Jets or Bears).

9. Blaine Gabbert: Does he return for a fourth season as a potential backup or bridge? He’s only 27, and for all his admirable traits, he has a 56-percent career completion percentage with 38 TDs and 37 interceptions. He got benched after starting 1-4 last season and going 3-5 to finish 2015. Gabbert and fellow 49ers backups Christian Ponder and Thad Lewis are all unsigned for 2017.

10. Tyrod Taylor: He is not the pocket passer or pure thrower Shanahan likely desires, and he likely is not worth $30 million guaranteed to the Bills if he remains on their roster next month.

11. Mike Glennon: A 5-13 record is not impressive — unless it came on recent 49ers teams — but the Buccaneers backup might be free agency’s hidden gem. A 2013 third-round pick, he is a 59.4-percent career passer with 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

12. Mitch Trubisky: Rather than return to North Carolina for his senior season, Trubisky is ready to cash in after a promising 2016: 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions, 68.0 completion percentage. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Trubisky going No. 2 to the 49ers in his initial mock draft.

13. Deshaun Watson: Leading Clemson to the national championship boosted his stock, but he already accrued impressive credentials in three seasons (10,168 passing yards, 1,934 rushing yards). He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up.

14. DeShone Kizer: Dual-threat talent opted to forgo his senior season at Notre Dame. In two seasons combined, he passed for 5,800 yards and 47 touchdowns while rushing for 997 yards and 18 touchdowns.

15. Patrick Mahomes: The Texas Tech star got projected with a second-round grade after passing for 5,052 yards as a third-year starter. Could he adapt to Shanahan’s more pro-style offense, however?

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